Proposed Asbestos Legislation Threatens Mesothelioma Victims

For families dealing with mesothelioma, the impact on their lives is tremendous. Asbestos cancer is a disease of the hardest working Americans who are stricken with this terminal illness later in life, cutting short their golden years. One of the few consolations can be the right to pursue compensation from those who knowingly exposed you to toxic asbestos. Financial settlements allow cancer victims to afford medical treatment and care (which are often expensive) or leave a bequest to their families.

The Legislation That Must Be Stopped!

But now, new legislation proposed in Congress is poised to make life even more difficult for asbestos victims. The bill, called the Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act sounds innocent enough, but if passed, will make it more challenging for those who were intentionally exposed to cancer-causing asbestos to protect their rights.

The legislation, HR 982, was brought to the floor of the House of Representatives on March 6th and is now in committee. It is critical mesothelioma that we all raise our voices against this invasive and unnecessary legislation. Calling it the “Fact” Act in no way makes this corporate-backed legislation factual, truthful or in the best interests of our nation and its workers.

What’s So Damaging About the Proposed Law?

At its core, this bill will make it easier for companies that knowingly and intentionally exposed workers to asbestos to avoid accountability for their actions. When corporations are allowed to put hardworking Americans in harm’s way to increase profit and serve their bottom lines, they must be made to answer for these terrible choices – particularly when the result is a devastating terminal illness such as mesothelioma.

The best way to stop this legislation before it gains momentum is to contact your Representative and tell them they must fight for victims of asbestos cancer. Mesothelioma is a terrible illness that strikes decades after exposure and is usually diagnosed in late stages because it is such a silent killer. When asbestos victims are finally diagnosed, there is often urgency in pursuing their compensation claims before the disease takes their life. This legislation will roadblock their pursuit of justice until it’s too late.

Who Is Pushing for this Asbestos Legislation?

What’s truly disturbing about the FACT Act is that, if HR 982 passes, this will be the second time that certain corporations will victimize America’s workers. The first time was when they chose to use asbestos in facilities, products, parts and equipment fully knowing the danger to workers. The second time will be when they are able to prolong (or evade) the restitution process until the affected workers lose their battle with cancer. This is people before profits at its very worst.

Unfortunately, it is the profits they made by using toxic but cheap asbestos that have made them financially able to lobby Congress to pass legislation that benefits no one but them and takes terrible advantage of families already suffering from an avoidable disease caused solely and purposefully by corporate greed. This must not be allowed!

What Can You Do?

There are two things that should be done in response to this terrible legislation. First, you should contact your Representative and tell them to vote “no” on HR 982 (FACT Act) if your family is one of the many affected by asbestos cancer. Even if your family hasn’t been touched by this terrible illness, if you believe workers should be safe on the job and not subject to working conditions that can cause terminal illnesses, you should raise your voice along with the victims!

Second, if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should contact a reputable law firm with extensive experience in asbestos cases. If this proposed bill is made law, it may be much more difficult to protect your rights to compensation for what was done to you and to hold those responsible accountable.

Bergman Draper Oslund today will review your case and let you know right away what your options are and how we can help. Asbestos law is our area of expertise. We have detailed records of exposure sites and case studies from all over the Pacific Northwest so we can pinpoint how you were exposed to asbestos. Let us help you today.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please contact us now to get started on your claim. We have decades of experience in asbestos law and an excellent record of significant settlements for our clients. We have won over $700 million in settlements and damages for our mesothelioma clients – people just like you. Our expertise is yours for the asking. We are here to help. Contact us today.